adminThe chilling case of Chris Watts, a man who murdered his pregnant wife and two young daughters in 2018, captured international attention and remains one of the most harrowing family crimes in recent memory. As the case unraveled, shocking revelations about Watts’ double life, betrayal, and callousness toward his family left many wondering how someone so seemingly ordinary could commit such heinous acts. Today, years after the crime, many still ask: Where is Chris Watts now? This article will delve into his current status, life behind bars, and how he spends his time as a convicted murderer.
The Crime That Shook America: A Brief Recap of the Chris Watts Case
Before diving into the details of Watts’ current life, it’s important to revisit the case that landed him behind bars. Chris Watts was a 33-year-old man living in Frederick, Colorado, with his wife Shanann Watts, and their two daughters, Bella (4) and Celeste (3). They appeared to be the perfect family, frequently posting happy family moments on social media. Shanann was also pregnant with their third child, a son they planned to name Nico.
However, the illusion of their happy family shattered on August 13, 2018, when Shanann and the girls went missing. Chris Watts made a televised appeal for their safe return, but his calm demeanor and lack of emotion raised suspicions. Within days, Watts confessed to the murders and led authorities to the site where he had disposed of their bodies. He had buried Shanann in a shallow grave and placed the bodies of Bella and Celeste inside oil tanks at his workplace.
The motive behind the murders was complex. Watts had been having an affair with a coworker and had grown distant from his family. Financial issues, combined with the pressure of maintaining a double life, led him to commit the unthinkable. On November 6, 2018, Watts pled guilty to five counts of first-degree murder (including two counts for killing a child under the age of 12), unlawful termination of a pregnancy, and three counts of tampering with a deceased human body. He was sentenced to five life terms without the possibility of parole.
Life Behind Bars: Where Is Chris Watts Now?
Chris Watts is currently serving his life sentence at the Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun, Wisconsin. He was initially held in Colorado, but due to security concerns and the high-profile nature of his case, he was transferred out of state to a maximum-security facility.
The prison where Watts resides is known for housing some of the most dangerous criminals in the country. Watts, however, is not considered a violent threat within the facility. According to various reports, he leads a relatively quiet life, mostly keeping to himself to avoid confrontation with other inmates. Prison insiders have noted that Watts lives in fear for his life, as crimes against children often make prisoners targets for violence within the prison population.
Chris Watts’ Daily Routine: How He Spends His Time in Prison
Chris Watts’ daily life in prison is a far cry from the comfortable suburban existence he once had. His days are highly structured, and he is largely isolated from the general prison population due to the nature of his crimes. Watts’ routine consists of basic tasks such as cleaning his cell, attending limited recreational activities, and occasionally reading religious materials, as he has reportedly turned to Christianity since his incarceration.
He spends the majority of his time in his cell, with limited opportunities for social interaction. Reports suggest that Watts has no meaningful relationships with other inmates, which is likely due to both his fear of being targeted and the gravity of his crimes. According to some sources, he is seen as a pariah even among convicted criminals, who often look down upon those who harm women and children.
Despite the lack of human connection, Watts has maintained contact with his family members. His parents and some extended family visit him on occasion, though it’s unclear how frequent or deep these visits are. Watts has also reportedly received letters from women who are fascinated by him, despite his horrific actions, a phenomenon not uncommon for high-profile murderers.
Chris Watts’ Psychological State: Coping with the Consequences
The mental toll of spending the rest of his life in prison has undoubtedly affected Chris Watts. Though there are few public reports on his psychological state, some insights have come from interviews conducted with those who have interacted with him post-conviction.
Watts has reportedly expressed remorse for his actions, claiming to have found religion and feeling guilty for what he did to his family. However, the sincerity of this remorse is often called into question by those who have followed his case closely. His initial attempts to lie about the murders and cover up his crime cast doubt on whether his current expressions of guilt are genuine or a coping mechanism for his new reality.
Some psychological experts believe that Watts may have dissociative tendencies, meaning that he could have emotionally detached himself from his actions both before and after committing the murders. This detachment may have allowed him to appear calm and collected during his initial police interviews, but it could also be a reason why he has been able to survive emotionally in prison, even in isolation.
The Public’s Ongoing Fascination with Chris Watts
Despite being sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, Chris Watts continues to captivate the public’s attention. His case has been the subject of numerous documentaries, podcasts, and articles. The Netflix documentary American Murder: The Family Next Door reignited interest in the case by showcasing previously unreleased home videos and police footage, giving a raw, inside look into the Watts family’s life leading up to the murders.
Part of the public’s fascination stems from the disturbing contrast between Watts’ outward appearance—a seemingly devoted father and husband—and the horrific actions he took to destroy his family. The crime has also sparked debates about narcissism, sociopathy, and the lengths some individuals will go to in order to maintain a façade or escape responsibility.
In the years since his conviction, Watts has remained a topic of discussion on social media platforms and true crime forums, where people continue to analyze his motives and actions. His ability to lead a double life, lying to his family and friends while carrying out an affair, has made him a case study in psychological manipulation and deception.
What the Future Holds for Chris Watts
Since Chris Watts is serving multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole, he will never be a free man again. His days will continue to be spent in the confines of a maximum-security prison, with little hope for any kind of redemption or reintegration into society.
For Watts, the future is bleak. He will likely continue to live in isolation, interacting with very few people and spending most of his time reflecting on the crimes that took away his family and irrevocably altered his life. While he may express remorse and claim to have found religion, his actions have left an indelible scar on the memories of those who followed his case, and he will always be remembered as the man who annihilated his own family in cold blood.
Conclusion
Chris Watts’ life today is defined by the consequences of his horrific actions. He lives in the confines of a prison cell, far removed from the suburban life he once led. Isolated, feared, and living with the weight of his crimes, Watts has little to look forward to in the coming years. His case serves as a chilling reminder of the depths of human cruelty and the tragic consequences of selfishness and deceit.
FAQs
1. Where is Chris Watts imprisoned?
Chris Watts is currently serving his life sentence at the Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun, Wisconsin, a maximum-security facility.
2. Does Chris Watts have contact with his family?
Yes, Chris Watts maintains some level of contact with his family, including occasional visits from his parents. However, his relationships with his family members are believed to be strained.
3. What was Chris Watts’ motive for killing his family?
Chris Watts was having an affair and wanted to start a new life without his family. Financial issues and the pressures of leading a double life may have contributed to his decision to murder his wife and children.
4. Has Chris Watts expressed remorse for his crimes?
Chris Watts has reportedly expressed remorse and claims to have turned to religion in prison. However, some question the sincerity of his remorse given his initial attempts to cover up the murders.
5. Will Chris Watts ever be released from prison?
No, Chris Watts is serving multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole, meaning he will remain in prison for the rest of his life.
